ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - For the first time in program history, No. 1-ranked (IWLCA Top 25) Flagler College advanced to the elite eight after defeating No. 6-ranked Saint Leo University 16-10 in a NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Tournament second round game this evening at the Lacrosse Field.
As the only remaining undefeated team in the NCAA Division II, the Saints, the No. 2-seed in the South Region, advanced to a 20-0 record while the Lions, the No. 3-seed, fell to 15-5. Flagler will vie for a spot in the NCAA DII semifinals on Friday, at 11 a.m., as it will travel to No. 2-ranked, and No. 1-seed, Florida Southern College.
Scoring in the first 50 seconds of regulation, the Saints started off on a six goal run. Led by
Kylie Budke, the Stony Brook University transfer accounted for two of those goals. Budke went on to score a career and game-high five goals and one assist while also shooting 100%. During her run, Budke's fifth goal put the Saints up by 10 over the Lions. This was the largest lead Flagler has had against Saint Leo in both meetings this year.
Carley Tepel was the only remaining Saint to record three or more goals.
Ava Lambros recorded two while
Taylor Halloran,
Jessica Wright,
Ella Pinder,
Carly Bagnasco,
Taylor Jendrek and
Mia Cosentino each recorded one. Serving as a distributor, Wright had a team high two assists.
The smothering Saints defense caused eight of Saint Leo's 12 turnovers.
Molly Sloan, had her third, three-caused turnover game of the season while finding two ground balls. This is the most caused turnovers Sloan had against any ranked opponent this season. Tying her season best,
Charlotte Harrington found four ground balls and won one draw control. Jendrek found the most success at draw control as she won four. Bagnasco, Pinder and Cosentino each won three.
Dakota Capolino saved 11 shots to finish with a .524 save percentage. An increase from their last meeting, Capolino had a .500 save percentage when the Saints traveled to Winter Park on Feb. 7.
Flagler continued to add more layers on to their historic season. This is the first 20 win season the Saints have put together since their inception in 2022. Only defeating one top 10 opponent in their first four seasons, Flagler has now won five this season.
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